Thrifty Tips for February 2nd

SUPERBOWL SAVINGS

This Sunday is Superbowl Sunday, and it is the time for fun, friends, family and really odd commercials, and it can also be a real wallet denter.  Sooooo let's think of some ways that we can save money on enjoying the Superbowl. 


1 - If you are having a party, make it a potluck.  Assign different items to different guests.  Some can bring drinks, appetizers, desserts, plates and cups.  You supply the main dish and of course the locale.  This way everyone takes part in the cost.


2 - If child care is needed, chip in together and hire some sitters to take care of all the kids at your party. 


3 - Save time on Superbowl Sunday and prep as many things in advance as you can.  One of my favorite foods for a large group is chili.   Follow this link to a great slow cooker chili recipe.  You can set up an inexpensive chili and baked potato bar with all the fixings.  Because it is Superbowl weekend, you can pick up many of the sides at low cost, because all of these goodies are on sale.  Normally I would also suggest making meatballs and keeping those hot in a crock pot full of sauce.  But if you want to save time, you can buy those big bags of frozen meatballs and save yourself a step.  Ragu is on sale at Fry's right now grab a couple of jars.  Toss a bag of frozen meatballs in a crockpot, add two jars of sauce and let them cook on low until game time.  You can make meatball sliders or full on meatball grinders for a very inexpensive Superbowl meal.  Of course you can always grab a big family pack of ground beef and bang out the chili, meatballs and maybe some taco meat for a fabulous buffet.  The meatballs will take a little time, but you can save time in other ways by buying prechopped frozen onions, peppers and even celery (I do this all the time).


4 - Team Spirit - My team is playing this year, and I will be spray painting my own team shirt.  Pick up stencils or make your own by printing and cutting out the stencils at this link.

WEBSITE

As many of you know, I love getting free magazine subscriptions.  You never know what kind of information you are going to find.  I have a free subscription for Entrepreneur magazine, and although much of it is well out of my income bracket, I always find interesting articles.  The latest had an article on entrepreneurship opportunities that military veterans have been pursuing.  The article included some fabulous websites that I think could be a benefit to a veteran you may know.  These websites can help veterans start businesses.


SBA.GOV website is loaded with information for everyone, but they have an awesome page for the Office of Veterans Business Development with many links to programs and resources for veterans to get information on loan programs for veteran owned small businesses. 


LINK:  SBA Office of Veterans Business Development


US Department of Veterans Affairs helps small businesses become certified as Veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.  Once certified these businesses can become eligible for even more programs.  Their site, vetbiz.gov is loaded with information.


LINK:  Vetbiz.gov

USES FOR BAKING SODA

Last week I posted many, many uses for used coffee grounds and also left over coffee.  This week I thought I would share some uses for baking soda.  Baking soda is relatively inexpensive and something we usually have on hand for baking, but there is so much more you can use it for.


1 - Okay...we all know the obvious, but in case you do not, put an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb icky odors.


2 - Tooth whitening paste - Back in the mid 80s when tooth whitening products first hit the scene, my friends and I found that you could combine baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide into a goopy paste and mimic the whitening formulas.  We were college students on a very limited budget and really were pleased with the results.  You can also simply use baking soda as a simple toothpaste.  It isn't tasty, but it is effective and really makes your teeth feel pretty awesome.


3 - Silver Cleaner - When my silver gets a little grubby, I mix up some baking soda and water and gently rub it into the silver.  Tarnish comes off easily and leaves behind a nice shine.  I have not used it on large silver pieces, but I have used it on silver chains, rings, and flatware.


4 - Baking soda and water make a great gentle scrub for your face.  It is gritty so you will need to rinse quite a bit, but you will feel squeaky clean and exfoliated without overdoing it.


5 - Hair clarifying - A teaspoon of baking soda mixed in with your daily shampoo is all you need to use to remove a week's worth of product build up in your hair.  This is really something you only need to use once a week.  Trust me, I lived in the hairspray capital of the US back in the 80s and 90s, and all it took was this little trick to safely and inexpensively remove that build up.


6 - Fruit and veggie rinse - Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a bowl of water and use the mixture to clean off your fruit and veggies.  It works wonders with getting off the dirt and other residues.  Be sure to rinse well when done, because baking soda is not tasty.


7 - Keeping baking soda nearby when cooking is a great tool to have on hand in case of grease fires. 
Baking soda will smother the fire.  Be sure to put some distance between you and the flame before tossing the baking soda onto it, and of course if you can safely do so, turn off the appliance.


8 - Clean a curling iron - Just as your hair can hold a build up of hairspray and product so can your curling iron.  The nice thing is they clean really well with the use of baking soda.  Make a mixture of equal parts baking soda and water.  Take your cool and unplugged iron -let's repeat for emphasis...COOL AND UNPLUGGED CURLING IRON, and rub the iron with a soft cloth and the baking soda and water mixture. 


9 - Keep your sneakers from getting funky by sprinkling them with baking soda.  I like to do this at least once every two weeks. 


10 - Room refresher - Sprinkle baking soda on the floor.  Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes and then vacuum up.


11 - When your kitty litter box is cleaned out but still a little off putting, sprinkle some baking soda on the top and let it sit.  It isn't going to harm your kitties toes, but it will take their kitty scents away.


12 - Give your sink and pipes a quick clean by putting about 3/4 cup of baking soda in the drain followed by half a cup of white vinegar.  Not only will it clean your pipes but it can also be a natural way to unclog your pipes.  Of course sometimes you still need a plumber, but we have had pretty good results with this as a maintenance method. 


13 - Car Care - Baking soda is a great car cleaning tool.  Use it on the chrome, lights and to remove road tar and sap.  Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water and use with a sponge or soft cloth.   


14 - Oven Cleaner - Wipe the oven with a wet sponge or cloth and then sprinkle with baking soda.  Let this sit over night and tackle it the next day.  I have also tossed baking soda on oven spills for a quick clean up when the oven is cool.


15 - Upset Tummy - Use baking soda to relieve acid indigestion.  Follow the directions on the box.  DO NOT OVERUSE.


16 - Underarm deodorant - Yep...apply baking soda with a puff (you can usually buy these at drug stores in the beauty department) for a natural deodorant.  Note this is not an antiperspirant just a deodorant.


17 - Bath - For a nice relaxing soak that will remove oils and soften skin, add a cup of baking soda to the tub and soak it out.  If your skin is irritated from a sunburn a soda wash will help take the irritation out.  It is also great for a foot soak too.


18 - Smelly Fish Hands - I am so sorry that I wrote smelly fish hands, but I was thinking about how when you have to squeeze out a can of tuna before you use it, and afterward you are left with smelly fish hands.  ICK!  I mentioned how you can wash your hands with used coffee grounds to remove the scent, but you can also wash your hands with baking soda and water.  Scrub them up and remove the stink.  Sorry about the silly side, but I have been eating a lot of tuna lately, and this has really been a priority in the cleaning department.  Plus if you wash your hands in the kitchen sink with the baking soda, it will minimize the odor in the sink.


19 - Clean the kitchen or bathroom sink - Baking soda is a great mild abrasive that you can use to clean your sinks, stove tops and counter tops.  In fact it is also great to use to remove marks on the wall.  It is also nice because it has no bleach.


20 - Draw out the stale smell from wash cloths by soaking in 1/4 cup of baking soda and a quart of water.


21 - Make beans more digestible - Okay...I haven't tried this yet, but I have read that if you add some baking soda to the water that you soak your dried beans in, it will help the beans be more easily digestible. 


22 - Stings and bites - Baking soda with a little dash of water on a sting or bite is said to remove the ouch.


23 - Make a soak for retainers or other appliances.  Add two teaspoons of baking soda to two cups of water or a bowl of water, mix and add the appliance or a retainer.  This will clean and freshen the retainers.  NEVER soak your retainers in mouthwash.


24 - Make Play Clay!  Simply combine baking soda, corn starch and water and you can make clay.  Follow this link to the Arm & Hammer site for the recipe.

AWESOME PRINTABLE

A lot of us use an envelope system in order to keep our budgets on track.  If you are interested in trying out the envelope system, follow this link to Dave Ramsey's website to learn how to get started with an envelope system.  If you would like a very cool printable that you can use to print your own envelopes which will have a spending register included, follow this link to Today's Nest for their fabulous free envelope printable.  Seriously, I love this. 

FREEBIES

Sign up for a free sample of Emergen-C while supplies last.  The varieties change all the time.


LINK:  Emergen-C Sample

FREE ENTERTAINMENT


Send a Valentine via Redbox's Facebook page and your friends will get a free Redbox rental code to use on Valentine's Day.  I don't know about you, but I love a free movie.  Oh, and don't worry about not getting to enjoy a free movie too.  You can head back there on Valentine's Day to get a code for you too!


LINK:  Redbox Free Valentine's Rental


FreeCCM is my first stop for free Christian music.  This week you can download Jonny Diaz's song "Cross The Line" as well as songs from The Afters, Building 429, and Skillet. 


LINK:  FreeCCM Free Christian Music Downloads


iTickets.com has two songs to download this week.  You can get "Damaged" by Plumb and "In Christ Alone" by Keith and Kristyn Getty.


LINK:  iTickets Free Christian Music Downloads

GROCERY DEALS

SAFEWAY

Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Petite Sirloin Steak $3.99 lb
Hass Imported Avocados 2/$1
Pantry Essentials or Dairy Glen Milk Gallon, Whole, 2%, 1%, Creamy Fat Free or Fat Free $1.57 (limit 2)
 Red Baron Pizza 15.77 to 22.63 oz Selected varieties 3/$10
Oscar Mayer Meat Franks 16 oz Selected Varieties 1/2 Free
Lay's Potato chips or Rold Gold Pretzels 10 to 10.5 oz Lay's or 7 to 16 oz Rold Gold Slected Varieties $1.99
Best Foods Mayonnaise or Kraft Miracle Whip 22 to 30 oz Select Varieties $2.88
Gallo Salame 8 oz Select Varieties 2/$7
Bumble Bee Solid White Tuna 5 oz 4/$5
Green Onions or Red Radishes 2/$1
Sweet Yellow Onions Imported 99 cents lb

SALE THROUGH SUNDAY

Doritos Tortilla 11-11.5 oz or Lay's Kettle Chips 8.5 oz Select Varieties 2/$5

12 Pack Coca-Cola 12 oz Cans  Select Varieties 4/$11

Lucerne Ice Cream 1.5 qt Select Varieties $1.99

FRY'S 

Coca-Cola, Pepsi or 7-Up Soft Drinks 4/$9 with $25 additional purchase
Blueberries 6 oz $1
Wholly Guacamole or Salsa $1
Clover Club Potato  Chips Select Varieties 10 oz While Supplies  Last 4/$5
Doritos Select Varieties 11 to 11.5 oz 2/$5
Bar-S Franks 12 oz 99 cents (limit 4)
Keenan Farm Pistachios 10 oz $3.99
Fry's Buns Select Varieties Hamburger or Hot Dog 8 ct 4/$5
Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail or Lights Select Varieties 4 ct or 64 oz $1.99
D'Anjou or Bosc Pears 99 cents lb

GAME DAY GREATS BUY 10 PARTICIPATING PRODUCTS SAVE $5 (prices reflect discount when you buy 10)

Hunt's Tomatoes or Paste Select Varieties12-14.5 oz .49 cents each

Healthy Choice Entree Select Varieties 9.5 to 12.5 oz $1.88

Marie Callender's Entree Select Varieties 8.5 to 19 oz $1.88

Ragu Pasta Sauce Select Varieties 16-26 oz .99 cents

Lay's Potato or Kettle Cooked  Chips Select Varieties8.5 to 10.5 oz $1.88

Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice or Trop50 Juice Select Varieties 59 oz $2.49

Mom's Best Natural Cereal Select Varieties 7.4 oz to 16.5 oz .99 cents

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Select Varieties 8 oz $1.29

Mission Soft Taco Tortillas 10 ct $1.49

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Beverage Select Varieties Half Gallon $1.99

Van's Waffles, Pancakes or French Toast Sticks Select Varieties 7.5 to 12.4 oz $1.99

ALBERTSONS

Pork Loin Back Ribs Seasoned 1/2 free
Hormel Spiral Sliced Half Ham Bone-in 99 cents lb
Pork Country Style Ribs Bone-in $1.99 lb
Campbell's Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup 10.75 oz 2/$1 (limit 6)
Kraft Salad Dressing 16  oz Select Varieties $1.49 (limit 4)
Nabisco Snack Cerackers 5.5 t0 10 oz Select Varieties $1.99
Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer 16 oz Select Varieties 2/$3
Herdez Salsa 16 oz or Hidden Valley Dip  Mix 1 oz Select Varieties 2/$3
Sunshine Cheez-it Crakcers 7.5 to 9 oz 2/$4
Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake 15.25 - 18.4 oz Select Varieties 4/$5
Betty Crocker Frosting 12-16 oz 3/$5
Red Bell Peppers 99 cents each
Large Pink Lady Apples 99 cents lb
Fresh Cilantro or Garlic 2/88 cents
Large  Texas Grapefruit 69 cents lb

Power In The Name - Video by Covenant 31

This is a video from my friend's band, Covenant 31.  I think that everyone involved did a great job.  There is power in the name of Jesus.  We can take our faults and frailties to him, and He can break the chains and turn it all around.  We just need to be willing to come to Him. 

Thrifty Tips for January 26th

WEBSITE

Have you been looking for a motivating place with diet plans, support, nutrition and fitness help.  An online community that is successful, helpful, and also free?  Take a moment and check out SparkPeople.com.  SparkPeople.com will help you develop a new lifestyle not just another way to lose weight by limits that are next to impossible to continue with.  You can join a whole community but also take advantage of expert advise.  The pounds are flying and SparkPeople.com.  All you need is internet access which you can get for free at the library.


LINK:  Sparkpeople.com

TIPS FOR REUSING COFFEE & GROUND AT HOME

Coffee Grounds.  Not only is coffee amazing when you drink a yummy hot cup in the morning or a frosty glass of iced coffee in the evening, but it has many ways that it can be reused as well.  Here are just a few things you can do with those old grounds.  If you do not have coffee grounds ask around.  Many restaurants or coffee shops will be happy to let you have theirs.  Just pop in and ask. 


1- Composting - Did you know that composting involves more than just dumping your scraps into a barrel?  Apparently you need the right balance of green materials to produce nitrogen and brown materials to produce carbon.  I honestly have no idea why you need both, but my friend you do, and coffee grounds are just one of the materials you can use in your composting pile that will produce carbon.  Kashi's website (yes the cereal granola bar people) has some fabulous composting tips.  It isn't too late to get started, and it is so much nicer than useless waste.  Check it all out here:  Kashi Composting Tips


2- Let the grounds dry and stuff into small paper bags, tie and put in places where odors abound.  You can also put some in old stockings and stuff into gym shoes especially if you don't have more than one pair to switch out of so you can get rid of the funk.  This is also great for taking odors out of the car.  Dried flavored coffee grounds will make the car smell exceptionally great.  Pop some into the refrigerator and freezer too.


3- Use to exfoliate your skin.  I have put used coffee grounds into an old jar or container and use them to exfoliate my hands and feet.  You can use it as a body scrub as well.  I have even found this as a way to boost a tan in the summer as it gets dry skin sloughed off but also adds a very light color.  Your skin will feel absolutely silky!  Guys, it can't hurt you to try this as well.


4- Several sites have recommended soaking the grounds in water overnight or longer and using the colored water as a wood stain. 


5- When planning to cook onion or fish, set aside some of your used coffee grounds to scrub your hands with to eliminate that fishy or onion odor.  Yes, lemons work as well, but then you have to waste a lemon.


6- Coffee grounds are a good fertilizer for acid loving plants like blueberries, carrots and melons.  Check with your local garden center to be sure that you are putting your grounds with the right plants (I have heard yes and no when it comes to tomatoes) as well as the ratios to follow.


7- Soak the coffee in water and use the liquid as a dye for material.


8- It has been said that you can sprinkle old coffee grounds in your garden to keep pests like ants, slugs and even cats away.  If you have dogs or puppies stay away from this as it can make them sick.


9- This is for leftover coffee though for me there is no such thing and I love iced coffee.  Still you can use leftover coffee as a meat tenderizer.


10- If you have dark hair, you can rub used coffee grounds into your hair to stimulate the scalp and add shine.  Lighter haired individuals should not try this as it can stain the hair.


11- I read about using the coffee grounds to dye Easter eggs for a natural look, but I was thinking you could pretty much take care of that by doing brown eggs.  Still, if you would like to try it, you would do the same staining process with soaking the grounds overnight in water.


12- If you have a fireplace, you might want to sprinkle used coffee grounds over the ashes before cleaning out the fireplace.  They will help minimize the dust that can be flying about.


13- Another way to use leftover coffee is to put equal parts of coffee and sugar in a pan and boiling it down into a syrup.  This may seem weird to some, but back in Rhode Island, coffee milk and coffee syrup was hugely popular.  In fact, I just may have to use some of my stored up iced coffee to make my own.


14- Speaking of iced coffee, brew a second pot of coffee using leftover coffee grounds and use the lighter coffee to make ice cubes to put in your iced coffee drinks.  They flavor will be less diluted this way as the ice melts.


15- Mix coffee grounds with your carrot and radish seeds when planting to help their crop grown and keep pests away.

FREE PHOTOS

Create a free Walmart Photo Center account and you will get 25 free 4 x 6 photos in your welcome email.  OOOH I didn't mention that these were one hour prints.  There are also other great reasons to join like free shipping to the store and photo storage too.  At the very least, how can you pass up 25 free prints?  I'm sure you have some pics you would like to print for free.


LINK:  Walmart Photo Center Account

FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

Living The Country Life, I believe that this magazine subscription is quarterly.  I get it and it really has some great information for people who like gardening and things like that.  I have found some great tips in the issues that I have received in the past.  Because it is quarterly, do not expect it to arrive right away.  Sign up while supplies last.  I  just got the latest issue so I am not sure exactly when the next one will arrive.


LINK:  Living The Country Life


Got a new baby in the family or are you expecting?  Sign up for a free subscription to Baby Talk magazine. 


LINK:  Baby Talk Magazine


Another fabulous subscription for those with  new babies or babies on the way is American Baby.


LINK:  American Baby Magazine

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

FreeCCM is offering free downloads this week from Building 429, Skillet, Todd Agnew (Christmas), Phillips, Craig & Dean (Christmas), 33Miles (Christmas), Stellar Kart and Decyfer Down.


LINK:  FreeCCM Music Downloads


New Release Tuesday has free song downloads too including "Come to Me" by Bethel Music from their album "The Loft Sessions," "At Your Name" by Worship Central from their album "Spirit Breakout,"  "Even Here" by Rachel Chan from her debut album "Go" and "Take Me Home" by Hollywood Holly from his album "When Super Meets Natural."


LINK:  New Release Tuesday Free Music Downloads


Sign up for Hear It First and you can get a free song download every week emailed to you as well as lots of Christian music news, videos, and deals.  I do want to let you know that they will email you with deals and new release news.  You wont get a bunch of junk mail, but you may get more than one email a week.  I like them very much though.


LINK:  Hear It First

GROCERY DEALS

FRY'S

Entire Selection of Fresh Pork 50% Off
New York Strip Steak USDA Choice, Bone-In, Beef Loin Family Packs $4.67 lb (limit 2)
Red Seedless Grapes 88 cents lb
Fry's Milk Whole Vitamin D, 2%, 1% Lowfat, or Nonfat Gallon sizes $1.57 (limit 2)
Doritos 11-11.5 oz $1.99
Dole Premium Classic Salad Select Varieties $1.00 each
Anjou or Bosc Pears 99 cents lb
Navel Oranges 99 cents lb
Bananas 57 cents lb

-GAMEDAY GREATS BUY 10 SAVE $5 (all the prices reflect the $5 off when 10 are purchased)

Mission Soft Taco  Tortillas $1.9

Lay's Potato or Kettle cooked Chips 8.5 to 10.5 oz $1.88

Ragu Pasta Sauce 16-26 oz Select Varieties 99 cents

Marie Callender's Entree Select Varieties 8.5-19 oz $1.88

Healthy Choice Entrees Select Varieties $1.88

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Select Varieties8 oz $1.29

Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese 15 oz or Velveeta Shells & Cheese 10-14 oz $1.49

Welches Essentials or Light Grape Juice 64 oz $1.99

Hebrew National Beef Franks Select Varieties 11-12 oz $2.99 each

Advil Pain Reliever Select Varieties 20-24 ct $3.34

Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel Select Varieties 7 oz $1.49

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Beverage Select Varieties Half Gallon $1.99

SAFEWAY

Whole Pork Shoulder Blade Roast Bone-in, Sold in the bag $1.29 lb
Swai Fillets Farm raised, previously frozen $2.99 lb
Imported Red Seedless Grapes 99 cents lb
Russet Potatoes 49 cents lb
Safeway Apple Juice 64 oz $1.99

Barilla Pasta 12 to 16 oz 10/$10
4 lb Bag Safeway Oranges $2.00
Sweet Navel Oranges 99 cents lb

FRIDAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY

Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith Apples 99 cents lb

Ken's Salad Dressing 16 oz Select Varieties 2/$3

Deli Counter Meat or Cheese - Turkey, Ham or American $4.99 lb

ALBERTSONS

Petite Sirloin Steak boneless $8.49 lb 1/2 free
Assorted Pork Loin Chops Bone-in Family Pack $1.88 lb
Pork Rib Racks Bone-in $1.99 lb
Pork Sirloin Chops $1.99 lb
Coke 12 pk Select Varieties Sale Price 4/$13 with $25 purchase 4/$10
Michelina's Entrees 4.5 to 9.5 oz 10/$10
Purple Eggplant 77 cents each
Large Navel Oranges 99 cents lb
Red, Green or Romaine Leaf Lettuce 99 cents each
Banquet Value Meals 4.66 oz - 10.25 oz 10/$10

Ways to Save

WEBSITE

You should see a dentist at least twice a year, but this isn't always a financial possibility for everyone.  Check out nidcr.nih.gov.  Once there click on Finding Dental Care.  That page will give you links to dental schools which often offer reduced cost dental care and also links to other programs for people with lower incomes.  The dental schools can be amazing and often have clinics where the students are fully supervised by licensed dentists.   I'll make it super easy for you.  Just follow the links below:


LINK:  National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - Finding Dental Care


LINK:  Arizona Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Programs


LINK:  DDS/DMD Programs

REBATE

Send in 10 UPC Codes from select Kellogg's cereals and receive a $10 Master Card reward card that you can use for gas.  Albertsons currently has a sale of Kellogg's cereals and if you have some already on hand at home, make sure to grab those UPCs.  The cereals have to be 10 oz or larger.  You do not need a receipt.  PS:  There is a limit to five rewards per household.  The offer is good until 4/31/12, but remember this is while supplies last.  Here is a list of the participating cereals:


Kellogg’s® All-Bran® Original cereal,
Kellogg’s® All-Bran® Bran Buds® cereal,
Kellogg’s® All-Bran® Complete® Wheat Flakes® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Smart Start® Strong Heart Antioxidant cereal,
Kellogg’s® Corn Flakes® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Raisin Bran® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Raisin Bran® Crunch cereal,
Kellogg’s® Crispix® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Product 19® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Mueslix® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Cracklin' Oat Bran® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Lowfat Granola with Raisins cereal,
Kellogg’s® Lowfat Granola without Raisins cereal,
Kellogg’s® Lowfat Granola Original cereal,
Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal,
Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® Gluten Free cereal


LINK:  Gas Card Rebate Form Link

FREEBIES

Take your pick of a free sample of Splenda Essentials with B vitamins or Antioxidants while supplies last.


LINK:  Splenda Essentials Sample


Downy's Facebook page is giving away 2012 samples of Downey Unstoppables every day this week.  Head on over early and keep your eyes fixed for your chance to pick up your sample.  If you don't get one today try again tomorrow.  :)


LINK:  Downy Unstoppables Sample


While supplies last, sign up for Fiber Choice Fiber Supplements.  You can also pick up a coupon on their website as well.


LINK:  Fiber Choice Sample


Again while supplies last, sign up for your free Shout Color Catcher.  Drop it into the wash to catch loose dies and dirt onto the catcher rather than onto your clothes.


LINK:  Shout Color Catcher Sample

FREE MUSIC

FreeCCM has free music downloads this week of Skillet's song "Gasoline" as well as songs from other various artists.  If you missed some of the great Christmas downloads they had to offer, you can still catch a few. 


LINK:  FreeCCM Christian Music Downloads


iTickets.com has two free downloads this week.  You do have to be a member but if you are you can download "We Are The Dreamers" by Tiffany Thompson and Take My Hand by Lindsay McCaul.


LINK:  iTickets Christian Music Download


New Release Tuesday has "Even Here" by Rachel Chan (that's Francis Chan's daughter who will be at the Homemade Worship Tour at GCU on the 20th), "Take Me Home" by Hollywood Holly, "Second Chance" by Rend Collective Experiment, and "Love Lifted Me" by John Barnett.  You have to be a member as well, BUT you will get access to great music news and album previews.


LINK:  New Released Tuesday Christian Music Download

FREE STUFF TO DO

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic will be meeting up on January 28th, and the kids will get to build a Build-a-saurus (fancy word for a fun kid's dinasaurish -yep not a word- activity) and on February 11th which just happens to be my husband's birthday, the kids can build a Valentine card creator which the kids can use to make fabulous Valentines.


LINK:  Lowe's Build And Grow Clinic


January 31st from 6 pm to 8 pm join Kara Rozendaal the Practical Saver at the Prescott Public Library on Goodwin Street and learn from an expert at saving money.  Kara will be share how to get free food, cover ins and outs of couponing including rainchecks and online coupons.  You will definitely walk out with new knowledge that will really help you take another step forward in saving money.  Follow our calendar link to get details.


LINK:  Practical Saver Class

GROCERY DEALS

SAFEWAY

Has Avocados 68 cents each
Pantry Essentials or Dairy  Glen Milk Gallon, Whole, 2%, 1%, or Creamy  Fat  Free (limit 2)
Tide Detergent 50 oz Liquid Selected varieties $5.99
Safeway Farms Grape Tomatoes 10 oz 2/$3
Fresh Express Salads 8-16 oz Selected varieties 99 cents
Smart Ones meals 3.95 to 11.5 oz Select Varieties $1.79 (must buy 6)
Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna or Zip Pack Lunchmeat 10-16 oz Selected Varieties 1/1 Free (save up to $5.99 on 2)
Fresh Pork Shoulder Blade Roast Bone-in Sold whole in the bag $1.87
Rice or Pasta Roni 4.2 to 7.9 oz Selected varieties 10/$10
Cucumbers 2/$1

THREE DAY SALE (FRI, SAT & SUN)

Rancher's Reserve Beef Petite Sirloin Steak $2.99 lb

Lucerne Butter 16 oz 2/$5

Red Roma Tomatoes 88 cents lb

Mott's Apple Juice 64 oz $1.88

ALBERTSONS

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.67 lb
New Crop Blueberries 6 oz 99 cents each
Albertsons Gallon Milk Select Varieties $1.57 (limit 2)
Pork Loin Roast $1.99 lb
Pork Sirloin Chops $1.99 lb
Large Navel Oranges 99 cents lb
Jonagold Apples 99 cents lb
Buy 8 Save $4 Deal (limit 2 rewards per transaction for a maximum savings of $8)
General Mills 11.3 to 12.3 oz or Kellogg's Cereal 9-15 oz $1.99
Ragu Pasta Sauce 99 cents
Wish-Bone Salad Dressing 16 oz Select Varieties
Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz 99 cents Select Varieties
Progresso Vegetable Classics or Rich & Hearty Soup $1.07
Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals 64 oz $1.49
Kleenix Facial Tissue 174-184 ct $1.49
Best Foods Mayonnaise 22-30 oz $2.99
Suave Body Wash $1

FRY'S

Strawberries $1.68 lb package
8lb Bag California Navel Oranges $4.98
Yellow Peaches or Nectarines $1.48 lb
Anjou, Bosc, Concorde or Red Pears 98 cents lb
Mangos 98 cents each
Kroger Chunk Light Tuna 5 oz can 68 cents
Kroger Bar or Shredded Cheese 12-16 oz $2.98
Barilla Pasta Select Varieties12 to 16 oz 88 cents
Hunt's Pasta Sauce Select Varieties 24-26 oz 88 cents
Banquet Entree Select Varieties5-10.25 oz 88 cents
Campbell's Soup Select Varieties 10.5-11.5 oz  88 cents
Progresso Vegetable Classics 18.5 to 19 oz 88 cents
Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper Select Varieties 4.7 to 7.5 oz 88 cents
Chef Boyardee Pasta 7.2 to 7.5 oz cup or 14.5 to 15 oz can 88 cents
Chobani or Dannon Greek Yogurt Select Varieties 5.3-6 oz or Dannon Activia Parfait 6 oz 88 cents
Rice A Roni or Pasta Roni 3.8 to 7.2 oz 88 cents
Roma Tomatoes 98 cents lb
Simply Potatoes Select Varieties $1.88
Gum Crayola Toothbrushes Select Varieties 2 pak or Kroger All-Pro or Angle Edge + Toothbrush, Select Varieties, 1count 98cents

Thrifty Tips January 12

FABULOUS WEBSITE

FlyLady.net is here to help everyone with CHAOS which she calls Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome.  Want to get your home in order, gain control over your day and be happy to have someone over without worrying about the mad dash to get things nice and neat or the garbage bags you need to locate to temporarily "store" some clutter?  Check out one of my favorite places to inspire and equip everyone to keep their households under control.


LINK:  FlyLady

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

iTickets.com has a free download available of Rend Collective Experiment's song "Second Chance" from their CD "Homemade Worship by Handmade People.  PS...they will be at Grand Canyon University on January 20th with Francis Chan.  So if you like what you hear, you might want to check them out live.  PPS...I think it is PPS...anyway, don't forget you do need to be a member of iTickets.com in order to download, but membership is free and they do not spam you.


LINK:  Second Chance by  Rend Collective Experiment


New Release Tuesday is also a great resource for free Christian music downloads as well as fabulous Christian music news.  They also are offering a free download of "Second Chance" by Rend Collective Experiment as well as "Love  Lifted Me" by John Barnett from his new album "Never Look Back."  You can like them on their Facebook page or head to their website.


LINK:  New Release Tuesday song downloads

FREE EBOOKS

I would like this focused entirely on my life in general...I was not blessed with organizational skills.  A book like "Absolutely Organize Your Family by Debbie Lillard could just work wonders for someone like me.  If organization is one of your goals, check out this free opportunity:


Absolutely Organize Your Family: Simple Solutions to Control Clutter, Schedules & Spaces by Debbie Lillard (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON) 


Ruby (Dakotah Treasures Series) by Lauraine Snelling (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON) For those into Western inspirational stores, Lauraine Snelling is really amazing.


Priced To Move by Ginny Aiken (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON)


The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth  Camden (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON)


If you are looking to make something quick and easy you have to download 5 Minute Recipes by Instructables Authors (AMAZON)

REBATE

If you catch Physician's Formula's new Organic Wear 100% Natural Lash Boosting mascara with a special "TRY ME FREE" sticker attached, you simply cannot pass it up.  There is a rebate available now worth a maximum of $9.95.  Be sure to follow ALL the directions.  For example the "Try Me Free" sticker must be included with the rebate form, the purchase needs to be made between 11/1/2011 to 10/31/12, and the form must be postmarked by 11/15/12 (though I wouldn't wait that long).  Follow the link below for your rebate form.  Don't forget to follow ALL the directions.  Keep a copy too!  :)


LINK:  Physician's Formula Organic wear Natural Lash Boosting mascara rebate

PRINTABLE COUPON

Try Arby's Roast Beef Classic Special for just $3.99 with the printable coupon at the link below.


LINK:  Arby's Roast Beef Classic Special

SAVING STAR COUPONS

Don't forget to head over to Savingstar.com to download the latest coupons to your loyalty card.  Each time you purchase an item with the corresponding coupon, more money drops into your Savingstar account.  When you hit $5, you can parlay it into an Amazon gift card or have it go directly into a bank account or even Paypal.  This could pile up quickly or slowly, but it is still money that you can get by items you would purchase anyway.  Check them out if you haven't already at the link below.


LINK:  Savingstar

FREE TASTING EVENT

Starbucks is very proud of their coffee and very confident in their flavors, and starting January 12th through January 14th you can participate in a taste test and vote for your favorite be it Blonde Roast, Medium  Roast or Dark Roast.  According to their website, they will also give you a little something as a thank you.  Follow the link below for more details!


LINK:  Starbucks Coffee Sampling Event

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

It is time again for another free National Park Weekend!  Yes in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, more than 100 National Parks that charge an entrance fee will be offering three fee-free days: January 14th, 15th and 16th!   Click on the link below for the list of participating parks.


LINK:  Free National Park Entry


If you decide to pack up the kids for some fun National Park Hopping, you may want to stop by the Pringles' Facebook page for some fun traveling printables. 


LINK:  Road trip printables for the kids


Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic will offer the kids an opportunity to build a cute little castle complete with stickers and cut outs.  This activity will run on January 14th.  Don't forget you need to register via the website.  You can also register the kids for their chance to build a...Build-A-Saurus a sweet lil wooden dinosaur for the kids.  That building class will be held on January 28th.  All these activities are free. Follow the link below to sign up now.


LINK:  Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic for Kids

GROCERY DEALS

FRY'S

Kroger Cheese Select Varieties Bar or Shredded 6-8 oz $1.79 Each
Yoplait Yogurt Select Varieties 4-6 oz 20/$10
Red Bell Peppers 88 cents each
Kroger tomato Sauce Seclect Varieties 8 oz Can 5/$1
4 for $10 (Plus Get One Free Gallon Fry's Milk or One Half Gallon Simple Truth Organic Milk - limit 2 rewards per transaction)
Special K Cereal or Crackers Select Varieties 4-19.5 oz
Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars, Kellogg's Fiber Plus Bars or Special K Bars Select  Varieties 5-10 ct
Kashi  GoLean Cereal Select Varieites 14.1-15 oz
Keebler Right Bites or Wheatables Select  Varieties 4.24-8.5 oz
Blackberries or Blueberries 6 oz 2/$3
Red Cherries $2.49 lb
Bar-S Bacon 12 oz $1.99 (limit 2)
Spiral Sliced or Half Ham 99 cents lb
Campbell's Soup Select Varieties 10/$10
Manwich 15.5 oz 10/$10
Hunts Pasta Sauce, 26-26.5 oz 10/$10
Mangoes 99 cents each
Bananas 57 cents lb
Yellow or Zucchini Squash 99 cents lb

Also a big 50% off sale with 50% off taken from:

New York Strip Steak or Roast (limit 2)

Foster Farms Whole Chicken

Ronzoni  Smart  Taste Pasta Select Varieties 12 oz

Classico Pasta Sauce 8.1-26 oz Select Varieties

American Beauty Pasta 12-16 oz Select  Varieties

Libby's Canned Vegetables 14.5-15.2 oz (excluding peas) Select  Varieties

Nabisco Saltines 9-16 oz Select  Varieties

Ken's Salad Dressing 16 oz Select  Varieties (coupons were in last Sunday's paper)

Challenge Butter 16 oz Select  Varieties

Clorox Wipes 150 count

 ALBERTSONS

USDA Choice Beef T-Bone Steak Bone-In Family Pack $4.77 lb (I don't typically indulge in T-Bones, but if I do, it will be at a sale price)
Sanderson  Farms Chicken Drumsticks, Thighs or Leg Quarters Family Pack or Whole Body Fryers 99 cents lb
Red Seedless Grapes $1.49 lb
Prego  Pasta Sauce 23.25-24 oz 2/$3 (there were coupons for these in the Sunday paper)
Hunt's tomato Sauce 8 oz limit 6 or Maruchan Instant Soup 2.25 oz Select Varieties 3/$1.00
Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer 32 oz $2.99
Hormel Compleats or Dinty Moore Meals 10 oz $1.49 (limit 4)
Chobani Greek Yogurt 6 oz 10/$10
Qyaker Quick or Old Fashion Oats 42 oz $2.49
Campbell's Chunky Soup 18.6-19 oz Select Varieties 2/$3 (limit 4)
Jennie-O Blue Ribbon Hickory  Smoked Turkey Breast Sliced from the Deli $3.88 lb
Pork Sirloin Chip or Roast Boneless $1.99 lb
Ground  Beef 93% Lean $2.99 lb any size package (not a price I go for, but if you really want some ground beef)
Bar-S Bologna 12 or Jumbo Meat Franks 16 oz Select Varieties 4/$5
Ronzoni Garden Delight or American Beauty Pasta 12-16 oz Select Varieties 10/$10 (check out the 50% deal at Fry's though it could be a better price)
VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner 15 oz Select Varieties 89 cents
Napa or Bok Choy 2 lbs $1

Bunch Green Onions or Radishes 2/$1
Navel Oranges or Menneola Tangelos 99 cents lb

SAFEWAY

Whole Boneless Pork Loin - Sold in bag $1.99 lb
Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage Rolls or Fully cooked Selections 9.6-16oz Select Varieties 1/1 free save up to $5.49 on 2 (plus there were coupons in the Sunday paper)
Blackberries or Blueberries 18 oz containers $4.99 each
Sweet Navel Oranges 49 cents lb
Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith Apples 99 cents lb
Marie Callender's or Healthy Choice Meals 8-19 oz Select Varieties $1.99 each
Ragu or Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce 16-24 oz 4/$5
Anthony's Pasta 12-16 oz Select Varieties 10/$10
Hass Avocados 99 cents each

Safeway 3-Day Sale

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta 7.25 to 15 oz 89 cents

Nabisco Premium Saltines or Snak-Saks 8-16.5 oz $1.59

Sweet Imported Cherries $1.99 lb

Safeway Ground  Turkey 20 oz 1/1 free (save up to 4.79 each)

Gotta Save Some Scratch?

WHAT'S A GOOD BUY IN JANUARY?

January is here and it is time to cover what to buy.  January is a perfect time to purchase winter apparel especially if it has been unseasonably warm.  This is also a wonderful time to pick up electronics.  New television models will be hitting the floor soon, and the older ones will be marked down.  You can cash in on deals that rival Black Friday.  Super discounts will also be found on furniture again as new styles hit the floors.  And of course, I am sure you have noticed massive Christmas items on sale.  Don't just pick up wrapping paper and ornaments, you can find great prices on gift sets too.  I found some wonderful wire baskets marked half price at Walmart, and they can totally be used for any time of the year.  There was also a plethora of ribbons that could be used for wrapping more than a Christmas gift.  I found out a lot of this great information from a fabulous post by Dealnews at Wisebread.  Check the whole post out because you will also find out what NOT to buy this January!


LINK:  The Best and Worst Things to Buy in January

FREE GIVING



For every new "Like" Valspar Paint gets on Facebook from the 3rd to the 31st of January, Valspar will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity up to $100,000!  So give them a like and give to Habitat for Humanity for free, and tell your friends too!


LINK:  Valspar Paint Facebook

FREEBIES

Sign up now for a free sample of Dove Damage Therapy Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner.  This is a free sample through Sam's Club that, at the time I write this, does  not require a membership number.  I do not know how long this will last.  I tried to get this a week ago, and it was gone.  So take a chance now.


LINK:  Dove Damage Therapy Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner Sample


I love all the free fries that have been offered lately.  There's more if you like Gordon Biersch  Restaurant on Facebook.  Like them and look over on the left side of their Facebook page for a link to where you can print out a coupon for free garlic fries.  I only found Gordon Biersch Restaurants in the Phoenix area.


LINK:  Free Garlic Fries at Gordon Biersch


If you live near a Quik Trip, you might like to sign up for their Facebook customer appreciation free beverage.  You can get a free 16 oz hot drink or a 32 oz fountain drink.  Follow the link below to sign up.  Quik Trips are in the Phoenix area.


LINK:  Free Beverage at Quik Trip


On Saturday, January 14th IKEA is having a Bring Your Own Friends event.  RSVP for the event and get a coupon for a free small breakfast before 11:00 am, a free tote bag, and 1/1 free entree between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.  There will also be awesome prizes given away during the event.  Are you feeling in a shopping mood, then you really shouldn't miss this event.  PS You are looking at the IKEA store in Tempe.


LINK:  IKEA Bring Your Own Friends Event




Sign up for Zoe's Kitchen's Zmail, and you will get a coupon for buy 1 get 1 free entree on your birthday.  For a Zoe's near you click on this link.  To sign up for the Zmail club, click on the link below.


LINK:  Zoe's Kitchen

FREE EBOOKS

It is the new year and that means another year older, and for many of us...another year away from school.  That is why I thought you might like to take advantage of this fun eBook "I Used To Know That: Stuff You Forgot From School" by Caroline Taggart.  I love books like this for those times when my son asks me for help with homework. (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)


Looking to lose some weight and learn more about good food choices?  You might want to check out The Perfect 10 Diet by Dr. Michael Aziz.  This book gives you information on how the body uses the food you eat and gives you details on the way some foods influence your hormones.  (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)


If you have been planning on eating healthier this year and need some recipe assistance, download the Mr. Food Lighten Up! eCookbook.  There are 20 great recipes for soups, salads, main dishes and desserts.


LINK:  Mr. Food Lighten Up! eCookbook


Ever read the Left Behind series?  If not and you would like to get your feet wet, you can get the ebook of "Left Behind" by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins for free right now. (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)


Also check out:


Paradise Valley (The Daughters of Caleb Bender) by Dale Cramer (AMAZON)


The Centurion's Wife (Acts of Faith Book 1) by Janet Oke and Davis Bunn (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)


Talk of the Town (Welcome to Daily Texas Book 1) by Lisa Wingate (AMAZON)

My Plans For The New Year -

Ah yesss...another person waxing poetic about their plans for the New Year.  Don't worry about reading this.  Like so many others, I need to make changes and the best thing to do is have someone hold you accountable.  The internet and anyone who may stumble upon this are part of that accountability.  I am actually going to work on this upcoming year on another blog which I called Room For Improvement - Project Me.  Most of my working on myself will be documented there.  I really thought that was the best thing for me to do.  Kind of another way to keep my focus.


I have spent the past several weeks really trying to nail down the goals I have for the upcoming year.  I have been planning on making some fairly significant changes this year.  I don't expect to be 100 percent perfect when it comes to making these changes, but I could surprise myself.  Here is my list.


1 - I will get back up.  When I find myself missing the mark, I will get back up and continue on.  I will not fail, I will move on.  I put this first because I know how things can go for me.  I can start my race at a pure sprint of excitement and somehow get distracted and trip, stumble and fall flat on my face.  This can cause me to have a "what is the point?" attitude.  I plan to not give in to that nonsense. 


2 -  Read the Word.  Even if I just get a chapter in, I will read my Bible more and get into His word.  Some days this is very easy.  I can get into scriptures and time just flies.  Then there are those times where it is a little more difficult, but it is still important.  My goal is to get more out of my reading of the word.  So it is all good if that means that some days I am getting the most by reading one chapter.  Do I hope to read the Bible in a year?  No.  It would be nice, but I really want to study the word.  I really want to memorize and be able to hold God's word in my heart.  That will take more time.


3 -  Save money.  This is a huge need.  I have been fairly good about saving money, but not overly consistent.  There are several things that I plan to employ to do this. 


3A -  Coupon.  Couponing is a given.  I am moderately okay with that.  I will never be a stockpiling kind of gal due to the fact that I simply do not have the space to do so, and because I just do not see the need to go beyond my little pantry closet.  I do plan to take advantage of the sales that I find to the best of my ability. 


3B -  Write down what I spend.  When I keep track of what I eat, I eat less.  When I write down what I spend, I spend less. 


3C -  Make more foods from scratch and buy less convenience foods.  I can go so far with this.  I am dreaming of a  new KitchenAid stand up mixer (I am part of the way there financially), and that little item should help me on my way to making more foods from scratch.


3D -  Menu plan.  I hope to get more involved with posting and linking with Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  I was soooooo good at that for a while.  I really need to get back to that.  Not only was this a great way to keep my budget in control, but it was also an amazing way to keep my life in control. 


4 -  Weight loss.  I was very fortunate to go on the HCG diet and lose 28 pounds.  I still have a long way to go, and I plan to continue that journey into this new year.  My husband and I will be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary this year, and I would like to get back into that dress.  I had struggles with this because about six months after we got married my thyroid went kabloom.  My metabolism slowed, and my weight began to rise.  I plan to work on keeping track of what I eat and drink more water.  It isn't like drinking water is hard to do, but man if you don't think about it, it can really get away from you.  I also plan to stick with the gym at least five days a week. 


5 - Read more.  This is fairly simple.  I used to be a crazy reader.  That kind of slipped to the wayside a while back, and I am tired of not giving myself the joy that I used to get from a good book.  I would like to tackle a book a week.  Considering my other goals, this may not be possible, but I am certainly going to give it a try.  I figure I can get a lot of reading done on my Nook while I am hitting the gym anyway.  My husband and I have started reading together too.  That is pretty fun.  He reads a chapter to me and I read a chapter to him.  Right now we are working our way through "Book Of Days" by James L Rubart. 


6 -  Blog more.  I was once pretty awesome at blogging.  I am not saying I was an amazing blogger.  I just kept up with it.  I suppose that I am really just hoping to be more on target with everything.  I suffer from distraction at times. I would like to blog daily.  Even if I am just checking in briefly, I want to do that.  I don't plan on blogging while I am on my second honeymoon though.  My husband and I will be back in Carmel, and I have no intention on focusing on anything other than loving life with my husband during that time away.  :)


So those are my goals.  All in all, I am working and praying and focusing on getting my life in a  new order.  :)  I am really looking forward to the ride.  :)